The Wheel(18 Oct. 2007)

Don and Betty Draper have an argument when it becomes apparent that he doesn't want to spend Thanksgiving with her family and she plans on going only with the children. He also learns some ... See full summary »

Storyline

Don and Betty Draper have an argument when it becomes apparent that he doesn't want to spend Thanksgiving with her family and she plans on going only with the children. He also learns some information about his brother Adam. Pete Campbell confirms that he has landed an account from his father-in-law for a new skin care product called Clearasil. He objects however when Don gives the account to Peggy Olson, who he has just been promoted to junior copywriter. Peggy proves her mettle in auditions for the weight loss device but later is feeling unwell and goes to the hospital where she is given some shocking news. Don comes up with a brilliant presentation for Kodak on a new wheel-like storage device for a slide projector that he dubs a carousel. Written by
garykmcd

Technical Specs

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This episode was included on the 2008 Emmy Awards 'For Your Consideration' DVD. Matthew Weiner and Robin Veith were nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series". See more »

Goofs

When Don and Harry are talking in Don's office late at night, Harry reveals that he was an amateur photographer in college and did a project of hand prints on glass. He then mentions how he was always fascinated with the cave paintings at Lascaux France, especially the "hand prints with paint blown all around". The hand prints he is referring are not at Lascaux but rather are at Pech Merle. See more »

Quotes

Don Draper:
Well, technology is a glittering lure. But there's the rare occasion when the public can be engaged on a level beyond flash, if they have a sentimental bond with the product. My first job, I was in-house at a fur company, with this old pro copywriter. Greek, named Teddy. And Teddy told me the most important idea in advertising is "new". Creates an itch. You simply put your product in there as a kind of... calamine lotion. But he also talked about a deeper bond with the product: nostalgia. It's ...
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Frequently Asked Questions

User Reviews

Here we come to the end of the first season, and the episode reminds us why Mad Men proves that it is one of the best shows in recent years, if not the best.

The episode was written and directed by the show's creator, Matthew Weiner. It brings us closer to Betty Draper's pain, and the remorse than Don Draper feels. It also keeps hinting at what Peggy Olson's new future will be, as well as give us a completely satisfying ending. The episode also has many amazing scenes, like the presentation of the Carousel advertising. In that moment, it shows how much Don has lived and how much his secrets could really cost him, together with some amazing direction, cinematography, and music. The episode shows just how flawed each character can be, including Pete's continuing selfish behavior, Don's hypocritical statements about a friend's affair, and Betty's naive and misunderstood cry for help to a kid.

Together with the end of the first season, it is to be said that the cast is amazing- one could not try to gather a better one. Jon Hamm is amazing in the central role, and I think that he will surely win his much deserved Emmy one day (after three years he still has not yet won). Elisabeth Moss is just getting started, as she is in her shining moment in the second season. January Jones is very underrated, but she has proved over the years how to play from the innocent wife to the lost girl inside to the cold-hearted woman in in the series. Of course, we also have the amazing Slattery, Kartheiser, and Hendricks in her sexy role. I also want to give a shout-out to guest star Anne Dudek as Francine, who proves in this episode what a great actress she is.

Ultimately, this episode is as fine as an episode can get, and since I started watching the series from the second season I can gladly say that it will just continue to keep getting better, and many will wonder how that is possible. But Mad Men will continue adding layered story lines to completely interesting and complicated characters.

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